PROPOSAL ON SOCIAL CAMPAIGN STRATEGIC PLAN
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Institutional Affiliation:
Social Campaign Strategic Plan on Media Advocacy on COVID-19 Health Prevention Program
Research: diagnosis/goal setting
The COVID-19 outbreak has been declared a global pandemic (Curtis et al., 2020). Currently, the Coronavirus has spread to various territories and nations. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of infected individuals generated through sneezing and coughing. Also, people can be infected by getting into contact with surfaces contaminated with the coronavirus and touching their faces such as mouth, eyes, and nose. While coronavirus continues to widespread, it is vital that communities take actions to prevent further transmissions, support control measures, and minimize the effects of the outbreaks (Harper et al. 2020). The protections of people are specifically vital. Precautions are essential in preventing possible widespread COVID-19.
Nevertheless, care should also be taken to prevent the stigmatization of people who can have been exposed to COVID-19. It is significant to note that coronavirus does not distinguish between gender, ages, disability, ethnicities, and boundaries. Health care settings should continue to be supportive, inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environments to all people (Djalante et al. 2020). While protecting people against discrimination and minimizing disruptions, measures taken by the governments must be able to prevent the entry and widespread of coronavirus by people who may have been exposed to the COVID-19.
Through the Department of Community Health Services, the Health Ministry should provide guidelines to stakeholders to implement community health strategies (Kim & Walker, 2020). Community health concentrates on availing services closer to communities, individuals, and families and improving their engagement in health activities. The foundation for health promotions and disease prevention are stable community health structures. Community health structures shall become essential in making sure that all families are with relevant messages on coronavirus as well as with prevention measures as the countries combat the COVID-19 (Raoofi et al. 2020). In addition to engaging with other community groups such faith sector, women, youth, and men groups, these departments shall ensure all community avenues are exhausted in reaching people with appropriate messages and prevention measures and thus allow successful community engagement in local spread prevention and transmissions (Curtis et al. 2020). The community health structures can play a vital role in healthy habit adoption and behavior changes at the community and family levels by ensuring that relevant messages reach the people; support information passed through mass media; demonstrate good hygiene practices like coughing and handwashing; and demystify misconceptions and myths.
Objectives
The strategy aims to accomplish the following goals:
- Create awareness about COVID-19.
- Foster access to and consumption of healthy meals.
- Fostering access to live-saving treatments, continuous care, and essential medicines for people with underlying medical conditions.
- Foster physical and mental health.
- Engage youths as primary actors in the coronavirus response.
Current Problem Regarding Issues
The pandemic of COVID-19 has reached all parts of the world (Curtis et al., 2020). While we are in the early stages of our local epidemics, we are witnessing the devastating and catastrophic impact of this disease. It wreaks havoc on entire nations, giving us a glimpse into our future and a warning forewarning of what is to come. The world is grappling with the inevitability of rising cases of COVID-19 in the coming days and weeks. The COVID-19 is anticipated to overwhelm our health care system and societies. Citizens are beginning to come to terms with the reality of national lockdowns in which movements are restricted mainly to within the walls of their homes. In this ‘new normal,’ access to basic needs such as food and medicines will pose challenges as never before, especially for individuals with pre-existing health conditions (Djalante et al. 2020). The measures necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19, including mass school closures, halting of non-essential services, and ‘coronavirus house arrest’ threaten to undermine healthy eating, constrain access to medicines, reduce physical activity, and test the limits of our mental health and promote the abuse of substances such as alcohol.
Strategies Applications
Increasing Knowledge about COVID-19
Evidence from nations hardest hit by Coronavirus indicates that those people with underlying health conditions like heart diseases, diabetes, obesity, and asthma, and the older adults are the most exposed or at-risk group (Harper et al. 2020). International statistics emerging from states in the COVID-19 pandemic midst show frightening and stark vulnerability for senior citizens and individuals with underlying health conditions like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. Our country has some of the highest people with pre-existing medical conditions internationally. These chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading death causes. The Health Ministry is keen to comprehend the relationships between Coronavirus and non-communicable diseases and recognize tactics to safeguard this vulnerable group (Curtis et al. 2020). The Ministry shall collect data on the correlation between COVID-19 and non-communicable diseases and share with this at-risk population and wider nation using multiple platforms such as social media and mass media.
Health diets for robust immune systems
The ministry will promote access to and consumption of healthy beverages and foods (Kim & Walker, 2020). The Coronavirus epidemic is set to lead to notable food insecurities in the world. With acute shortages among specific sub-groups (populations with limited financial resources) and in particular settings (nations with limited food sovereignty), access to fresh and healthy foods and beverages such as vegetables and fruits is likely to become challenging for the whole country. It is expected that foods shall shifts to consumptions of more durable and processed foods as communities prepare for protracted lockdown periods, particularly with widespread loss or reductions of revenues (Raoofi et al. 2020). Coupled with overconsumption of processed foods and energy-dense and nutrient-poor fast foods, lack of access to nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits threaten to compromise the already debilitated immune system and put people with underlying health conditions at great of contracting Corona-virus and raising the probability of poor health results. Also, Coronavirus has established spaces for the beverage and food sector to offer improved access to foods. We should encourage the beverage and food industry to see this as opportunities for social responsibility and innovation in providing nutritious and healthy foods. Ensuring access to healthy foods for people with pre-existing medical conditions and senior citizens shall be critical. This shall imply executing policies that concentrate not only on fostering healthy food production and consumption but also on preventing food insecurity (Curtis et al. 2020). The Ministry of Health shall encourage and advocate for coordinated actions and policy coherence across sectors to improve food sovereignty and food security.
Promoting access to continual live-saving treatments, care, and essential medicines for people with underlying health conditions
The Ministry of Health is committed to the life-saving continuity of individuals with pre-existing health conditions (Djalante et al., 2020). Every day, people with underlying health conditions take life-saving medications to manage their health situations. Cancer patients may be getting intensive radiotherapies or active chemotherapies. People with underlying health conditions will have to ensure that they have adequate drugs for complete compliance through mandatory curfews and national shutdowns. This implies filling prescriptions through private or public drugstores, preferably for ninety days. People living with NCDs will likely experience significant disruptions in essential care due to COVID-19-control and containment measures, including lockdowns and redirection of health services to manage coronavirus patients (Harper et al. 2020). Where possible, health care providers should minimize interruptions of necessary care and maintain continuity of routine healthcare using a variety of approaches, including telemedicine. Again, where possible, health care providers should explore strategies to ensure access to these life-saving treatments in safe-settings. These measures are especially critical in settings with limited resources to prevent significant aftershocks to healthcare systems associated with the post-lockdown presentation of large numbers of patients with uncontrolled or late-stage disease (Curtis et al. 2020). The Ministry of Health shall encourage and advocate for methods to ensure that treatments, care, and medications are accessible via civil society organizations or through the private and public sectors.
Fostering good physical and mental health
Together with wide dissemination of myths and misinformation about the COVID-19, isolation measures and physical distancing being executed by governments to save lives, slow the COVID-19 progression, and safeguard health systems, are giving rise to rising levels of loneliness, anxieties, fears, and stress (Kim & Walker, 2020). Family units and people are being confronted with ways and situations of living that they have experienced in their generations. Together with uncertainties about when the restrictions shall end, infection and loss of life, financial insecurities, limited abilities to involve in physical activities, immobility, workplace, and school closures threaten to affect the mental health of the whole society profoundly. Physical activities are not only a significant aspect for the prevention and management of NCDs and strengthening of immune systems but also limited opportunities and space and mental health for such activities further worsen the conditions. With business closures and dismissals come financial trauma (Raoofi et al. 2020). Where possible, administrations shall have to encourage employers to allow telecommuting. The governments will work with their nationals in implementing policies that establish a monetary safety net. The development and education of children have to continue, and national agencies shall have to ensure that online learning sites are created to allow the students to learn. For the individuals on this pandemic crisis that include senior citizens and people with underlying health conditions, states shall have to execute policies that safeguard the groups from COVID-19 infections and create safety nets (Curtis et al. 2020). The Ministry of Health will encourage and advocate for multi-sectoral approaches in facilitating and enabling the upkeep of mental and physical health at community and individual levels.
Engagement of youths as major actors in the COVID-19 responses
The youths should be empowered as protectors and messengers. Data have indicated the young people may substantially be asymptomatic vectors of infections, even though the COVID-19 infection risk among the younger population is comparatively low to date (Djalante et al. 2020). Young people may be undergoing anxiety, confusion, and fear about the future. The Ministry of health will encourage and advocate for consultations with the younger population to plan and disseminate information that targets young people, taking advantage of their established youth initiative and youth advocates.
Audience Targeted
The COVID-19 communication and strategy of the Health Ministry is purposed at a broader stakeholder audience of the ministry. The key target group will be vulnerable groups such the senior citizens and people with underlying medical conditions such as heart diseases, diabetes, obesity, and asthma (Curtis et al. 2020). The secondary audiences shall comprise of other primary players in the ministry response team.
Tactics
To accomplish the five goals, we will depend on the following four strategies: leveraging partnership with critical international and regional public health institutions, high-level advocacy targeting policymakers, reinforcement of communication networks for experience sharing and information, and information dissemination (Harper et al. 2020). To meet the requirements of our communities and add value to their works, we will work with global, regional, and national partners with the eventual objective of minimizing the impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups such the senior citizens and individuals with underlying health conditions such as heart diseases, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and diabetes and the general public.
Information dissemination:
The ministry of health will use various communication media to disseminate and share messages with our stakeholders.
- There will be updates in weekly News Roundup of the Health Ministry, including expanding our reach to include additional stakeholder populations identified through various projects.
- Creation of a dedicated webpage to house this information under the four key areas, including disease and risk factor-specific information hubs.
- Development and sharing of social media materials, with adaptation for CSOs where requested.
- Hosting of webinars which will address concerns faced by people with underlying conditions, youth, older persons, and CSOs, in supporting these population groups.
- Engagement with priority target groups to develop and garner feedback on proposed, communication strategies and channels.
- Leveraging of existing networks and influencers to disseminate information.
- Obtaining COVID-19 testimonials/experiences from target groups.
Key messages for each of the objectives and activities will be developed based on emerging information, consultation, and feedback (Curtis et al., 2020). Efforts will be made to amplify national, regional, and global vital messages to maximize impact.
Reinforcement of communication networks for experience and information sharing
Building on existing networks such as the Cancer Alliance (Facebook) and the CSO Childhood Obesity Action Network (WhatsApp), and exploring the creation of new systems, we will work to facilitate enhanced communication between disease-specific organizations to support sharing of experiences and information (Djalante et al. 2020). Ideally, we will also promote linkages between these communities and critical stakeholders in the public sector (policymakers), the private sector, and among public health institutions.
High Level advocacy targeting policymakers:
The Ministry of Health will seek to engage senior policymakers and Heads of States and Governments and advocate for policies that safeguard people living with NCDs, other vulnerable population groups, and health care providers (Harper et al. 2020). This will include open and closed letters to government leaders, social media posts targeting the same, and informal virtual meetings, where the opportunity arises. The HCC will also seek to ensure that civil society voices are included in decision-making bodies charged with the task of responding to the pandemic.
Leveraging collaborations with relevant global and regional public health institutions:
The ministry of health shall seek to leverage collaborations with important global and regional public health institutions, including CARPHA and PAHO, as well as academic institutions, to access information and leverage their expertise and access to resources.
Implementation
We will aim to develop an implementation plan to outline the main activities, indicative resources, and timelines related to each objective, perhaps initially for six months (Curtis et al., 2020). The adjustments to and schedules of the strategies shall rely on the courses and durations of Coronavirus pandemic in
Reporting/evaluation of Programme
A monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan will be developed based on the objectives and strategies outlined above, and the implementation plan, to track the success of our communication during this period. Given that the communication platform will be electronic and mainly through social media and Ministry’s weekly News Roundup and website, e-metrics will be used to measure audience access and dissemination (Djalante et al. 2020). Success will be assessed by the extent to which key stakeholders accept and act on the messages disseminated, including the development and implementation of relevant policies and programs.
Conclusion
A valuable and innovative method is using the media to foster public health. Public Health and Media Advocacy develop the media advocacy concept as an essential approach for public health problem prevention. The way people think about COVID-19 and what is done about it is mostly determined by how the virus is reported on the media such as in the newspapers, TV, and radio. Essential public health policy issues often are debated and decided only after media makes them visible. Traditional communication approaches such as social marketing concentrate on passing information to the people. Media advocacy gives citizens a voice to talk about COVID-19. The Health Ministry is dedicated to supporting environments that prevent coronavirus and to helping enhanced life quality for the people living with COVID-19. The Health Ministry, as with many other ministries, is navigating its ways through the Coronavirus pandemic, establishing how best the department can continue to accomplish its ministerial objectives and goals within the contexts of its new realities. In response, the ministry has designed a communication strategy in guiding its communication and advocacy during the Coronavirus pandemic. The department will tailor some of its works to address the epidemic in the coming weeks and month and ensuring that its message is clear, relevant, and guided by regional and international emerging best practices and, most significantly, based on evidence. Expertly executed, this approach shall contribute to universal health coverages and comprehensive health. It shall also ensure inequality reduction that is a critical guiding principle of the Health Ministry.
References
Curtis, V., Dreibelbis, R., Sidibe, M., Cardosi, J., Sara, J., Bonell, C., … & Aunger, R. (2020). How to Set up Government-Led National Hygiene Communication Campaigns to Combat COVID-19: A Strategic Blueprint. Preprints.
Curtis, V., Dreibelbis, R., Sidibe, M., Cardosi, J., Sara, J., Bonell, C., … & Aunger, R. (2020). Strategic Thinking in a Pandemic: A Blueprint for Government-Led National Hygiene Communication Campaigns to Combat COVID-19.
Djalante, R., Lassa, J., Setiamarga, D., Mahfud, C., Sudjatma, A., Indrawan, M., … & Gunawan, L. A. (2020). Review and analysis of current responses to COVID-19 in Indonesia: Period of January to March 2020. Progress in Disaster Science, 100091.
Harper, C. A., Satchell, L. P., Fido, D., & Latzman, R. D. (2020). Functional fear predicts public health compliance in the COVID-19 pandemic. International journal of mental health and addiction.
Kim, H., & Walker, D. (2020). Leveraging volunteer fact-checking to identify misinformation about COVID-19 in social media. Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review, 1(3).
Raoofi, A., Takian, A., Sari, A. A., Olyaeemanesh, A., Haghighi, H., & Aarabi, M. (2020). COVID-19 pandemic and comparative health policy learning in Iran. Archives of Iranian Medicine, 23(4), 220-234.